Turbine frame

Abstract

A turbine frame includes first and second coaxially disposed rings having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart struts extending therebetween. A plurality of clevises join respective first ends of the struts to the first ring for removably joining the struts thereto. Each of the clevises includes a base removably fixedly joined to the first ring, and a pair of legs extending away from the base and spaced apart to define a U-shaped clevis slot receiving the strut first end. The strut first end is removably fixedly joined to the clevis legs by a pair of expansion bolts. The clevis base includes a central aperture aligned with a first port in the first ring for providing access therethrough.

We claim: 
     
       1. A turbine frame comprising: a first ring disposed coaxially about an axial centerline axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart first ports;   a second ring disposed coaxially with said first ring and spaced radially therefrom, and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart second ports;   a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart struts joined radially between said first and second rings, each strut having radially opposite first and second ends, and a through channel extending therebetween; and   a plurality of clevises, each of said clevises being disposed between a respective one of said strut first ends and said first ring in alignment with a respective one of said first ports for removably joining said struts to said first ring for both carrying loads and providing access therethrough;   each of said clevises comprising: a base disposed against said first ring and having a plurality of mounting holes receiving mounting bolts therethrough to removably fixedly join said base to said first ring, said base having a central aperture aligned with said first port; and   first and second legs extending away from said base and spaced circumferentially apart to define a U-shaped clevis slot receiving said strut first end; said first and second legs and said strut first end having a pair of spaced apart bores extending therethrough and receiving a respective pair of expansion bolts for removably fixedly joining said strut first end to said first and second legs, with said strut through channel being disposed between said expansion bolt pair and aligned with both said base aperture and said first port.     
     
     
       2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein said first ring includes a pair of axially spaced apart annular stiffening ribs disposed on opposite sides of said clevises and said first ports for carrying loads between said struts and said first ring. 
     
     
       3. A frame according to claim 2 wherein said clevis further comprises a plurality of gussets joining said clevis first and second legs to said clevis base for carrying bending loads transmitted through said strut and said first ring. 
     
     
       4. A frame according to claim 3 wherein said strut first end is disposed in said clevis slot in sealing arrangement with said first port for channeling airflow through said first and second rings and said struts. 
     
     
       5. A frame according to claim 3 wherein said strut first end is disposed in said clevis slot in abutting contact with said clevis base for carrying compressive loads directly thereto through said strut. 
     
     
       6. A frame according to claim 5 wherein: said first ring is in the form of a hub disposed radially inwardly of said struts;   said second ring is in the form of a casing disposed radially outwardly of said struts; and   said clevises removably join radially inner ends of said struts to said hub.   
     
     
       7. A frame according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of fairings, each fairing surrounding a respective one of said struts; and wherein each of said struts includes a center portion, with said strut first end being sized substantially equal in transverse section with said strut center portion for fitting through a respective one of said fairings.